Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Song written to 'stick up' for Stockton used in Benefits Street campaign


A proud Stocktonian has penned a song to highlight the town’s best bits.


And now the song has been picked up by a campaign fighting against the possible stigma brought by Benefits Street, filmed in the town's Kingston Road on the Tilery estate and believed to be airing on Channel 4 next month.


The song's co-writer Dennis Bailey, 57, explained: “It came a long time before Benefits Street - it was when a lot of people were talking negatively about the High Street in Stockton.


“My message was to ‘look up’ to above the fascias at the buildings - but not just that. It’s also about looking up at the people, the past and the future.”


The song Look Up (Stockton Town) was co-written by Joe Hamill of local band Cattle and Cane - and now the pair are hoping artists will cover the song and spread the message.


Local artist Dom Donnelly has had a go at singing the song in Stockton record shop Sound It Out Records, in Yarm Street.


Plastic Jesus - Look Up Look Up from James Donnelly on Vimeo.


Organisers of the Psst... (Positively Stockton-on-Tees) campaign have shared the video on the Facebook page.


Dennis, who is a self employed consultant living in the Fairfield area of Stockton, said: “We have sent it to Stockton Council and are encouraging different local bands and musicians to do their own version of it, even just a chorus or a verse.


“If the campaign uses it then that can only be a good thing.


“Benefits Street is something I’m very much against.


“I will not watch a minute of it or give it any of my time."


For more about the campaign visit this link.


Keep up to date with all the latest Benefits Street news here.



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